shama ne jaise raat sar ki hai

sham.a ne jaise raat sar kī hai

ham ne bhī is tarah sahar kī hai

kū-e-qātil kahīñ kahīñ zindāñ

koī sūrat kahāñ mafar kī hai

apnī apnī salīb uThā ke chalo

sūrat ab to yahī safar kī hai

munsifo harf-e-ma.azarat kaisā

har ḳhatā ham ne soch kar kī hai

kitnī sadiyoñ kī dāstān-e-tavīl

chand ashkoñ ne muḳhtasar kī hai

shab kā afsāna bāñdhne vaalo

ye bhī tamhīd ik sahar kī hai

saañs ke qāfile kā ruk jaanā

ibtidā ik na.e safar kī hai

jaise sahrā meñ aan baiThe hoñ

sūrat aisī kuchh apne ghar kī hai

dushmanoñ kā to kuchh gila hī nahīñ

baat yārān-e-mo'atabar kī hai

matn kuchh aur surḳhiyāñ kuchh aur

shakl bigḌī huī ḳhabar kī hai

sach agar ik ḳhatā hai 'yazdānī'

ye ḳhatā ham ne umr bhar kī hai

shama ne jaise raat sar ki hai

hum ne bhi is tarah sahar ki hai

ku-e-qatil kahin kahin zindan

koi surat kahan mafar ki hai

apni apni salib uTha ke chalo

surat ab to yahi safar ki hai

munsifo harf-e-mazarat kaisa

har KHata hum ne soch kar ki hai

kitni sadiyon ki dastan-e-tawil

chand ashkon ne muKHtasar ki hai

shab ka afsana bandhne walo

ye bhi tamhid ek sahar ki hai

sans ke qafile ka ruk jaana

ibtida ek nae safar ki hai

jaise sahra mein aan baiThe hon

surat aisi kuchh apne ghar ki hai

dushmanon ka to kuchh gila hi nahin

baat yaran-e-mo'atabar ki hai

matn kuchh aur surKHiyan kuchh aur

shakl bigDi hui KHabar ki hai

sach agar ek KHata hai 'yazdani'

ye KHata hum ne umr bhar ki hai